Shame on me for doing a double take when I saw the extraordinary Susan Boyle who performed on Britain’s Got Talent TV show.

By now, you’ve seen the video.

Her instant fame gave me pause about my initial reaction and how we regard or write off some people.

For a second, I thought she might be a man because of her appearance – the face, hairstyle and the bushy eyebrows. And then I thought she might just be another self-deceived, undiscovered “talent” who would simply elicit laughter. Instead, the judges and the audience stopped giggling and offered applause (most honored her with a standing ovation).

I wonder how we feel about unusual or unsightly people. Do we turn away and just ignore them? Do we figure they will merely stay home or hold jobs out of public view?

Society is full of rejects, crippled people and human beings of all ages with deformities we wouldn’t wish on anyone.

The Susan Boyles of the world remind me of the Hermey the Misfit Elf in “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” He simply aspired to be a dentist rather than a toymaker.

Unemployed and not married at 47, Susan Boyle just wanted a chance to sing. I can’t imagine the ridicule she has faced over her lifetime. TV’s Larry King asked Susan if she was going to do anything about her appearance. Since he’s a media personality, I couldn’t blame him. People do wonder. Susan told him she has no plans to change.

Sometimes people do alter their looks, just like Elliott Yamin of American Idol fame did with his teeth.

When we see someone with a defect, we’d like to think we don’t jeer. But if we’re honest, we did judge Susan Boyle.

Hopefully most of the time we’re busy helping the blind, mentally retarded, deaf, etc.

What if the cashier has an ugly growth – maybe even a tumor hanging off their face? Will we wait longer in a different checkout aisle? You may have heard of neurofibromatosis, better known as Elephant Man disease.

We all matter to God:

“You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
- Psalm 139:13-14

Every person deserves their dignity – even the ones who can’t sing but somehow believe they’re destined for stardom. I’m glad Susan got her moment; I’d buy a ticket in a heartbeat. Her moxie and confidence stand out as well (I loved it when she wiggled her hips).

We’re all imperfect in one sense of another – spiritually and physically. I’m sometimes ill-tempered and I have a deformed right ankle that works fine even though it’s considerably larger than the norm.

On the spiritual side, my sins have been forgiven by Jesus who hung on a cross for me 2,000 years ago. And while I too often neglect Him and His power, I know Him and turn to Him.

As for this body of mine, it’s just temporary. Someday I’ll be in heaven – maybe even with Susan. Together, we can sing in perfect harmony.

I know people who aren’t keen on drama. Yet, given the song, the story and the creative presentation, it’s not hard for me to be moved every time I see it.

The scene is simple – mankind was once at peace with God but fell into sin. And the scary thing is that sin blocks us from God, our Creator. We may seek Him in one fashion or another. But sin is so powerful; sin thwarts us as we search.

When Jesus throws steps in between us and sin – the intensity of the video is undeniable. Finally, He throws sin back, defeating it by His sacrifice. It’s an amazing video that you can easily personalize – whether you’re on the journey toward the Lord or struggling with sin like me even in the beauty of your relationship with Him.